Mo Ghile Mear

Secrets Unfold

*Sera's POV*

I wonder if Athena is hiding something. I mean, over the last few days, she's been acting weird since Gandalf's departure, and she keeps looking out the windows of our Hobbit Hole. It was as though she was expecting something -- whether it was dark or not. Whenever I'd asked her what she was keeping an eye out for, she jumped, saying that she wasn't looking for anything in particular, or she would say that she was waiting for Gandalf to return. But I didn't believe her -- not a single bit.

"What are you looking for?" I asked cautiously as Athena checked the window again for the one-millionth time over the past couple of days (not exaggerating).

"Hmm?" she said, looking thoroughly distracted. "Oh, nothing. I'm just waiting for Gandalf, that's all."

"Really?" I said in disbelief, eyeing her with great curiosity. "Your face is as pale as a sheet. You're scared of something, aren't you?"

She flinched, her eyes clouded over with fear and anxiety. She messed with her hands, which were in her lap. She glanced nervously at the window again, biting her lower lip before giving a heavy sigh.

"You're right," she said, surprising me. "I have been hiding something." She paused.

"What are you hiding?" I asked, now even more curious about what she's been hiding from us. Her light brown eyes darted around the room, as though making sure that nothing would see us. Finally, she took in a deep breath, a hesitant look on her face.

"I suppose I can't keep this a secret anymore, can I?" she said, laughing darkly. I just gave her a quizzical look. What was she hiding? "Have you ever heard about the history of the One Ring?"

Surprised, I found myself nodding. What does an old history story have to do with her and why she kept staring out the window? If she wasn't waiting for Gandalf, then what was she looking for? Why was she so panicked? Questions whirled in my mind, but I decided to be quiet and let her tell her tale.

A smile jerked up her lips, strained and nervous. "And you've heard of Lord Sauron, the creator of the One Ring?"

"Yes," I said slowly. "What does a piece of jewelry have to do with why you're so nervous?"

She sighed again. "Oh, Sera. I wish I could explain all the details, but it's not that simple. The Ring is more than just a piece of simple jewelry. It's crafted with Dark Magic, forged by the powers of Lord Sauron himself, in secret. It gives him all the power he wants."

"H-How do you know all this?" I stuttered, shocked.

Her eyes dropped nervously to the ground, a faint pink tinge creeping up her cheeks.

"I know all of this," she said slowly, giving me a pleading look at the same time, "because I-I am his daughter."

Silence. Utter, complete silence took a hold of the room. The silence pressed down on my pointed ears. But for some reason, I did not feel threatened by her. I mean, she's an innocent woman who had a horrid father and grew up in someplace safe, protecting her from the evil of Mordor. But where has she been throughout all those years? If the Ring is out there, then who has it, now?

"You're scared of me, aren't you?" said Athena quietly, her face turning a bright shade pink. She looked mortally embarrassed.

I opened my mouth, but no sound came out. Athena sighed, giving me a look of indignity.

"I get it. I'm used to it," she said shortly, rising from her seat. "You don't trust me, and I'm cool with that."

I finally found my voice.